Nico de Haan

In this Dutch name, the surname is de Haan, not Haan.

Nico de Haan (22 July 1947 – 7 February 2026) was a Dutch conservationist, writer, and radio and television presenter who was known for popularising birdwatching in the Netherlands.[1] He was known for his work with Vogelbescherming Nederland and his efforts to popularize birdwatching in the Netherlands through the broadcasting programs Vroege Vogels and Baardmannetjes.[2][3]

Early life and education

De Haan was born on 22 July 1947 in Aarlanderveen in the province of South Holland.[4] He spent much of his childhood in Zalk, a village on the west bank of the river IJssel, where his father served as a minister within the Dutch Reformed tradition.[4][5]

He completed vocational and higher professional training in land and nature management, attending the Middelbare Landbouwschool in Zwolle and the Bosbouw and Cultuurtechnische School in Arnhem.[4] Prior to establishing his career in the Netherlands, he worked briefly as a miner in Canada.[4]

Career

De Haan began his career in the early 1970s in nature management with Vereniging Natuurmonumenten and later served as manager of the Nieuwkoopse Plassen.[1] In 1974, he joined Vogelbescherming Nederland as a management assistant.[1] During his tenure, which ended in 2004, the organization's membership increased from approximately 8,000 to more than 100,000. After leaving the organization, he remained affiliated as an ambassador.[1]

In 1978, De Haan joined the nature programme Vroege Vogels, presenting instructional segments on bird identification.[1] He later developed the Vroege Vogelzang bird song course, which sold 30,000 copies and received gold certification in 2011.[6][2] In the 2010s, he co-presented the television series Baardmannetjes with Hans Dorrestijn.[1]

As an author, De Haan published several field guides, including the children's book Vogelontdekgids and the autobiographical work Koekoeksjong in Zalk.[7][2]

Death

De Haan died on 7 February 2026, at the age of 78.[1][8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Vogelkenner en presentator Nico de Haan (78) overleden". NOS (in Dutch). 11 February 2026.
  2. ^ a b c "Nico de Haan, icoon onder de vogelaars, op 78-jarige leeftijd overleden". Vroege Vogels (in Dutch). BNNVARA. 15 February 2026.
  3. ^ "Baardmannetjes". NPO Start (in Dutch). Nederlandse Publieke Omroep.
  4. ^ a b c d "Nico de Haan (1947-2026), de man die Nederland leerde vogelen". HP De Tijd (in Dutch). 11 February 2026.
  5. ^ "Vogelman en presentator Nico de Haan (78) overleden: liefde voor natuur begon in Zalk, groeide in Zwolle". RTV Focus Zwolle (in Dutch). 11 February 2026.
  6. ^ "Gouden plaat voor Vroege Vogelzang". Vroege Vogels (in Dutch). BNNVARA. 17 April 2011.
  7. ^ "Zilveren Griffels (informatief)". DBNL (in Dutch). 2007.
  8. ^ "Scherpenzeelse vogelkenner Nico de Haan (78) overleden". De Stentor (in Dutch). 11 February 2026.
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